For a team that limped into the NFC Playoffs despite losing several star players to significant injuries throughout the 2025 season, the Packers have plenty of holes to fill and limited resources to do so in the offseason ahead.
Micah Parsons’ torn ACL torpedoed what felt like a Super Bowl or Bust campaign for head coach Matt LaFleur’s team, as the 2025 season began to unravel far earlier thanks to star tight end Tucker Kraft suffering a season-ending injury, as well. Quarterback Jordan Love’s top receivers becoming a revolving door, with rookie Matthew Golden, and veterans Christian Watson and Jayden Reed all missing time due to injury, and it’s little wonder that the ceiling was lowered on 2025.
Now, the Packers are hamstrung entering the offseason.
Packers urged to upgrade at linebacker in free agency
Dec 14, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) stands on the sideline during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
After trading two first-round draft picks to the Dallas Cowboys for Parsons, the Packers won’t go on the clock until the second round of next month’s NFL Draft, and general manager Brian Gutekunst and Green Bay only have roughly $9.7 million in cap space as free agency gets underway.
However, as new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon arrives, Gutekunst may need to prioritize adding quality linebacker depth, to maximize his scheme, according to Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron.
“Linebacker is one position to watch,” Cameron writes for PFF. “With players like Matt Milano, Quincy Williams and Germaine Pratt profiling as cheap options with starting experience.”
After acquiring veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin in a trade with the Colts, Green Bay may have already significantly upgraded the position. But, as free agency gets underway, and with so many quality players about to become available at the position, the Packers could set out to add significant depth in the front seven around Franklin and rising star Edgerrin Cooper.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur runs off of the field after a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Ravens won the game, 41-24.
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